By Sam Waller

Bethel Assembly’s The Patch fall celebration was deemed a success with the pumpkin market selling out completely.

The event was held Saturday at the Bank Park. Proceeds benefit Bethel’s community ministries.

“Everything went great,” organizer Betsy Spraberry said. “The scholarship fundraiser sold out of food, and we sold out of pumpkins. We plan to do it again next year and get more pumpkins.”

In addition to the pumpkin market, a decorated pumpkin parade for children in sixth grade and younger was held.

By Sam Waller

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold its annual Mission Festival at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, with Rev. Dr. Solomon Yadessa of the Multi-Ethnic Ministry of North Texas this year’s speaker.

“The ministry reaches out to immigrants from all over the world,” Trinity Lutheran pastor Tom Chandler said. “Dr. Yadessa is an interesting guy. He speaks several languages.”

By Sam Waller

Shackelford County 4-H held its first club meeting of the year Monday, Oct. 3 at The Feed Store, electing officers and kicking off National 4-H Week.

Senior officers are Faith Fry, president; Riley Reames, vice president; Leddie Leech, second vice president; Landon Kreit­ler, third vice president; Grace Fry, secretary; Connor Smith, treasurer; Maddy Beard, reporter; and Jordan Fikes, parliamentarian.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Junior High Lady Cubs volleyball teams started a season-ending road swing Monday, Oct. 3, at Hawley.

The Lady Cubs return to the road Monday, Oct. 10, when they visit Bangs. The last two dates on the schedule are Thursday, Oct. 13 at Coleman and Monday, Oct. 24, at Ranger.

At Hawley, the seventh grade Lady Cubs lost 9-25, 14-25.

“We came out very flat and it showed,” coach Tate Thompson said. “These girls haven’t had many road games, so they need to get used to getting going after a bus ride. It’s all part of the learning process.”

By Sam Waller

Moran High School’s one-act play cast and crew will perform its fall show at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the school auditorium.

The troupe will perform “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” a mashup of several Brother Grimm tales.

Tickets for the performance are $5 at the door.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Volunteers are needed this Saturday, Oct. 1 to help decorate the town for the fall season.

Anyone wishing to help set up decorations should meet at the Chamber of Commerce office in the Depot at 9:00 a.m., according to Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones.

The Chamber purchased new fall decorations last year and will provide all the supplies necessary to put up the items that include fall wreaths and garland, along with cane cut by the Albany FFA members.

By Donnie A. Lucas

A local resident was surprised with a special presentation last week for her 20-year effort that resulted in her raising over $100,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Beverly Rogers of Albany was honored during a visit and educational presentation by the regional director of the group at the local senior center last Thursday, Sept. 22.

Rogers has participated in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s for 20 years, also serving as the local chairman for most of that time.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After holding the required public hearing prior to their 9:00 a.m. session, Shackelford County commissioners adopted the proposed budget and tax rate at a meeting on Monday, Sept. 26.

A couple of people from the general public were present to “observe” the process, but there was no opposition or comment voiced on the proposals.

Elected officials also acted on a number of other routine items in a long agenda.

Budget Okayed

By Donnie A. Lucas

This Friday is the deadline for organizations that plan to apply for 2023 funding from the Albany Chest.

Applications need to be finished and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 30.

Board vice chair Melinda Lucas said Monday that a few applications had been received, but the board is expecting around two dozen, and she emphasized that all organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request by the deadline.

By Sam Waller

For the second year in a row, Shackelford County 4-H will have a Texas 4-H Ambassador.

Faith Fry has been selected as a statewide Equine Ambassador. Last year, Johnnie Hise served as a Fashion Ambassador.

The Ambassador program includes nine specific areas – Equine, Fashion and Interior Design, Healthy Texas Youth, Livestock, Poultry, Photography, Shooting Sports, STEM, and Water – plus the Texas 4-H Council.